Environmental Review for the Better Market Street Project

The Better Market Street project is subject to the requirements of both the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Separate environmental documents have been prepared, one that complies with NEPA and another that complies with CEQA. Both Draft and Final CEQA and NEPA environmental documents have been published, and the environmental review process is now complete.

 

We appreciate your comments and participation in the environmental review process. Even though the environmental review process has concluded, your feedback is essential. Please leave us a comment and sign up for our mailing list to receive all project updates.

 

 

NEPA: Environmental Assessment

San Francisco Public Works, the project sponsor, is using federal funds from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to help construct the Better Market Street project. FHWA’s responsibility for NEPA environmental review, consultation, and any other actions required by applicable federal environmental laws are being carried out by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). During this phase of the environmental review process, San Francisco Public Works and Caltrans have developed a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) which analyzes the potential environmental effects of a No-Build Alternative and a Build Alternative (i.e., the Better Market Street project) for public review, consideration, and decision-making.

 

Caltrans published the Notice of Availability and the Draft Environmental Assessment for the Better Market Street Project on May 29, 2020, and accepted public comment until July 14, 2020. Following publication of the Draft Environmental Assessment, A virtual public hearing was conducted using Zoom on Wednesday June 17, 2020 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. A copy of the virtual public hearing presentation is posted here.

 

Caltrans considered comments received on the Draft Environmental Assessment and prepared a Final Environmental Assessment with Finding of No Significant Impact and Final Section 4(f) Evaluation (downloads below). The Final Environmental Assessment includes comments received on the Draft Environmental Assessment, and responses to those comments. On September 11, 2020, Caltrans issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) Notice of Availability (NOA) for the Better Market Street Project.

 

Notice of Availability PDF
Final Environmental Assessment with Finding of No Significant Impact and Final Section 4(f) Evaluation PDF 26 MB
Final Environmental Assessment with Finding of No Significant Impact and Final Section 4(f) Evaluation: APPENDICES PDF 29 MB

 

Direct questions or comments about the Final EA to Boris Deunert at San Francisco Public Works: Boris.Deunert@sfdpw.org

 

 

CEQA: Environmental Impact Report

The Planning Department, as the lead agency, conducted the environmental review of the Better Market Street project in compliance with CEQA. During this phase of the environmental review process, the Planning Department worked with the Better Market Street project team and an environmental review consultant to develop the Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The EIR analyzed the potential environmental impacts of the Better Market Street project and disclosed them for public review, consideration, and decision-making.

 

On January 14, 2015, the Planning Department issued a Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report and Notice of Public Scoping Meeting. The Planning Department published the draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Better Market Street project on February 27, 2019, and accepted public comment until April 15, 2019. The Planning Department published the Response to Comments (RTC) on the draft EIR for Better Market Street on September 23, 2019. The reports can be downloaded at San Francisco Planning's web site here. The Planning Commission certified the EIR at a noticed hearing on October 10, 2019. San Francisco Public Works and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency approved the project on October 15, 2019. Direct questions about the reports to Jenny Delumo at SF Planning: jenny.delumo@sfgov.org or (415) 575-9146.

 

For more information about the CEQA process for the Better Market Street project, visit the Planning Department web page: www.sf-planning.org/bmseir

 

 

Better Market Street: Fact Sheet

 

Click here to download the
Better Market Street:
FACT SHEET

 

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